This detailed engraving portrays a bustling scene along the River Surabaya, a vital waterway in the Indonesian port city of the same name. Lined with dense trees and riverside dwellings, the composition captures a moment of daily life in colonial Java, with small trading boats and houseboats clustered along the banks. The image reveals a vibrant commercial atmosphere: figures can be seen loading and unloading goods, while others move through the town via narrow steps and paths. The variety of boat types, from simple canoes to larger covered vessels, reflects the economic importance of river transport in the region during the 19th century. This work belongs to a genre of European engravings that documented life in Southeast Asia during the colonial period. Such prints were often created from sketches by travelers or military personnel, later engraved and published for Western audiences eager for images of the “exotic” East. The scene conveys not only the topographical layout of Surabaya’s riverside but also offers a glimpse into the layered interactions of trade, culture, and colonial presence.

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